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| Chief Minister's award for best startup promoting organic farming. |
1. Can you tell me more about your current role and responsibilities as the co-founder of OK India? What inspired you to start this venture? What does the company offer?
I serve as the Chief Executive Officer at OK India, where my responsibilities include leading the strategy team, overseeing growth initiatives, managing technology, and handling investments. My lifelong involvement in professional sports has ingrained a deep passion for fitness, which, in turn, inspired me to embark on this venture.
Our company offers a wide range of certified and tested pure products sourced directly from farms. This encompasses primarily fruits and vegetables but extends to all grocery items in the kitchen. Our distribution channels include Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and our dedicated mobile app.
2. Could you share some key achievements or milestones that OK India has reached since its inception in July 2020? What is the mission and vision of OK India?
OK India has received recognition as the most innovative startup in the food category, as highlighted in this LinkedIn post. Additionally, we've been honored with the Chief Minister's award for our contributions to promoting organic farming, as shown here.
Mission: Our mission is to build a Swastha Bharat (Healthy India) by accelerating the growth of sustainable agriculture and empowering farmers.
Vision: We aim to become the most trusted company in the kitchen groceries category, renowned for the purity of our products.
3. What challenges have you encountered while co-founding and running OK India, and how have you overcome them?
Building a talented team is invariably one of the most significant challenges for any startup. To address this, we leveraged our connections in colleges where we had direct ties as alumni, which facilitated the attraction of skilled individuals. Sales posed another challenge, but since I took primary responsibility for this aspect, we've witnessed significant improvements.
4. How do you see the organic food and kitchen industry evolving in India, and what role do you see OK India playing in this evolution?
There is a growing appreciation among people for the information regarding the origin and purity of their food. Year by year, we observe a substantial shift towards organic food. With technology as our driving force, we envision OK India as a market leader in India within the next three years.
5. In the context of your entrepreneurial journey, what are some key strategies you've employed to build a successful business and brand?
Hire Fast, Fire Faster, and Foster Growth Rapidly: Building a strong team is essential, and swift decision-making in this regard is crucial.
Chase Product Excellence: Focus on creating top-quality products.
Prioritise Profitability Over Revenue: Profitability sustains and grows a business.
6. Can you share any upcoming projects or plans for OK India that you are excited about? How do you see the future of OK India in terms of growth, market expansion, and innovation?
We are currently developing a 'paper strip' that can detect the presence of pesticides in any fruit or vegetable. This technology will provide the fastest-ever testing procedure for this purpose, and customers will be able to use it themselves. We have already filed for its patent.
In terms of growth, our plan is to launch nationwide next year and to expand globally through exports to at least five countries by 2025.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own businesses?
Entrepreneurs often over-plan and wait for the 'perfect idea.' The reality is that there's no such thing as the 'perfect idea.' History has shown that great startups discover their market fit over time, often after launching.
Amazon, for instance, began as an online bookstore before evolving into the diverse conglomerate it is today. My advice is to "Find something you are passionate about and start it the next day!"
Bio-
Krishnank Atrey is a versatile professional with a strong background in business and marketing. As the Co-founder of OK India, an organic kitchen venture, he has been instrumental in its growth and success since July 2020. Krishnank's dynamic career includes roles as the Marketing Director at Football Delhi, Founder of Brand Engineerz, and experience at ZS and Autoninja. With an educational foundation from the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, he brings a wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to his endeavours.
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